What We’re Reading: A breakthrough in the global AIDS battle

May 13th, 2011 9:52 AM UTC
By Robyn Mitchell

Scientists See Breakthrough in the Global AIDS Battle – In a landmark finding that scientists say could help stem the global AIDS pandemic, researchers announced this week that treating HIV patients with AIDS drugs makes them strikingly less infectious. Though an AIDS vaccine remains the goal, “a combination of new and emerging HIV prevention methods has convinced many leading AIDS experts that they can dramatically constrict the torrent of new infections.” (Mark Schoofs, WSJ)

One-Third of World’s Food Wasted, Report Says – One-third of all food produced globally — a staggering 1.3 billion tons — is lost or wasted every year, according to a new study released this week by the UN Food and Agriculture Organization. The report determined that overall food loss was divided about equally between the industrialized and developing world, although waste in rich countries was far higher on a per capita level. (John Collins Rudolf, NYT)

Mali’s girls put education first – Plan International, a nonprofit in Mali, has launched a global campaign in the hope of tackling issues affecting young girls in developing countries. The primary aim of the organization’s “Because I’m a Girl” campaign is to keep girls in education, with the hope of spreading the message that an educated girl “is more likely to be literate, healthy and survive into adulthood, as are her children.” (Krsna Harilela, CNN)

Protests Overshadow Inauguration in Uganda – President Yoweri Museveni derided Uganda’s political opposition as divisive opportunists during his inauguration Thursday while also trying to soothe public anger over rising food and fuel prices that have triggered violent protests. The outpouring of support for Museveni’s opponent – Kizza Besigye – underscored the challenges Museveni faces from a man he has beaten three times at the ballot box but who has become a rallying point for public discontent. (Josh Kron, NYT)

USA Pro Cycling Challenge teams up with poverty-fighting charity Millennium Promise – The USA Pro Cycling Challenge is attaching a charity’s name to its title to generate mass exposure for a global poverty-fighting campaign. The international cycling competition is teaming up with the nonprofit, Millennium Promise, to unveil their “Spokes of Change” campaign, which will seek to raise donations to equip health care workers in rural areas of sub-Saharan Africa with bicycles, cell phones, supplies, medicine and training. (AP)

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